Sunday, August 22, 2010

Here I sit, drowning in my poison ivy but thankful, nonetheless, for the great summer we've experienced so far. While a gaggle of girls giggle down in the basement (remnants from a sleepover with overdoses of junkfood) and two sleeping boys from their own late night, I find myself surprisingly relaxed and enjoying the peace of a rainy, Sunday morning. Short-lived, I know. Soon that gaggle of girls will bound up the stairs and destroy my kitchen with the makings of breakfast at noon.

I hope you've all made the most of this summer. It seems so busy and I actually find myself welcoming the routine of fall. I guess us Canadians are forced to squeeze in as much seasonal fun as we can; cramming these months with camping, swimming, concerts in the park, poolside parties and dockside frolicking. As great as this time of year is, I am truly looking forward to fall for the following reasons:

working from home without constant interuptions and eruptions from my offspring

having friends all back from holidays so we can catch up with one other

the sweet scent of changing leaves and the bountiful colours that come with it

our town's fall fair

mountain bike rides without humidity

cleaning the house and having it stay clean while the kids are at school

simmering aromas from roast beef dinners and harvest corn chowder; things I never cook in summer

hiking in the forest without bugs

more time for magazine writing

the hibernation of the dreaded poison ivy plant that has plagued me this summer

wearing my favourite faded jeans and hoodies

peppermint tea on cool mornings

I also look forward to posting more often with the promise of spreading new, great recipes and random thoughts. To all of you, enjoy the last few weeks this beautiful summer brings! Until then, I leave you with my cousin Kathy's (yes, the same Kathy who brought you the ice cream cake) Shrimp dish. She served this up while at the lake and even my husband, who does not eat seafood, loved it.(my two beautiful cousins, Kathy and Dianne)

Friday, August 13, 2010

After my son had requested an ice cream cake for his birthday, I was a little bummed. I'm a little tired of the DQ cakes. I find them hard to slice or melted and soggy, and you have to ditch the leftovers if it doesn't get eaten right away.

My cousin, Kathy, is always coming up with the best recipes. Seriously...if she had a recipe blog, I would be a very dedicated follower (hint! hint!). She passed this ice cream cake recipe along to me and I was sold on the fact that it was SUPER easy to make. My ten-year-old-to-be was also willing to give it a shot.

I switched the recipe up a bit to accommodate peanut allergies. Plus, I really do like that gooey cookie center in the DQ cakes so I tried to replicate that. I should also mention that I used quite a big pan so these quantities may be over and above what you'd need but you can decide. I used an 11" x 13" pan that is 2" deep. The recipe originally calls for a 9 x 13. If you use that size, then go easy on the quantities that I list below.

How did it turn out? Well, it was AWESOME! Not only was it way easier to serve and save, but it was more delicious than any ice cream cake from DQ. If you make this, I'm sure you'll find everyone raving about it too, even knowing that party kids can be the hardest critics. Good Luck!

Zac's Ice Cream Cakethis served a party of 12 kids, two adults and LOTS leftover

Take only one bag of Oreo cookies and blend in food processor to turn them into coarse crumbs. Set aside.Line the bottom of a casserole dish with ice cream sandwiches. Spread with a layer of Cool Whip Topping; as thick as you like. Sprinkle all the crushed Oreo cookies on top. Heat hot fudge sauce in microwave for one minute and drizzle over the crushed Oreo layer. Layer another row of sandwiches on top and frost with remaining Cool Whip. Decorate top with whole Oreo Cookies. Keep in freezer until ready to serve.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

How are all you summer worshipers doing? This weather has been fantastic allowing us to be dockside, poolside, porch side, bonfire side! So whatever 'side' you've found yourselves on this past month or two, I hope you're soaking up every ray; getting every drop of sunshine. You deserve it!

I've gotta' post this recipe for Guacamole. It is my absolute go-to summer dip. My kids devour it too so I'm always cracking open the avocados all season long. Don't skimp on the cilantro - this fresh herb smells so good and is the key to this dip's success! If you can't get your hands on fresh cilantro, save yourself the trouble and wait until you can get your paws on a bunch. You seriously need it for this Group-Pleasing Gwock.

photo by dubow

Guacamole

6-10 avocados, peeled and seededDiced Tomatoes (as much as you wish; I usually throw in one or two)Minced white or purple onion (I usually do one big one if I'm doing up a big bowl)A bunch of fresh cilantro; washed and choppedSplash of Red Hot Sauce - just a splash!Fresh Lime JuiceSalt and Ground Black Pepper

Mash the avocado with a potato masher. Stir in the tomatoes and onions. Add lots of fresh cilantro then mix in lime juice. I usually squirt in about a 1/4 to 1/2 cup to start then fool around with the quantity. Add the splash of hot sauce. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to taste. Give it a final stir then squirt some more lime juice on top.Serve with Lime Tacos.

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A Taste of Freedom

I look pretty happy with my set of wheels.

When I was a kid, I loved my bike. It would take me to far away places my legs couldn't (ie: the park at the end of our block). I would hook up with my peeps in the 'hood and we'd pedal our way to freedom. That small bit of freedom would lend just a peek into the window of our future selves; a hint towards the independence maturity promised to bring us one day.

That little girl has now grown into a wife and mother of three. My husband and I run a business together and, as most of you can relate, life is crazy-busy. At some point along the way, we wave goodbye to our trikes, easy-bake ovens and roller skates; jumping feet first into this thing called real life.

We grew up and crossed over to the other side and into adulthood where pieces of our innocence fell away -- our hours gobbled up by careers, errands, chores; saying goodbye to the youth that kept us free and unburdened. Thanks, kid, for the good times but there are more important things to do. Off we go to the world we create for ourselves – feeding our future the food it needs: our time. We don’t do it begrudgingly and for the most part, without hesitation.

But recently, I've been making time for myself and an old friend - my bike. Okay, I've definitely traded up to a newer model since I was six years old but the feeling it evokes is just the same. When I'm on my bike, my mind has a way of letting go of all things regimented and it's great to feel the wind in my hair yet again.

And it got me to thinking...

Perhaps when we crossed over to the other side and into adulthood we weren’t meant to say goodbye to our youth. Perhaps we were supposed to pause for just a moment and take our childhood by the hand and cross over with it – living in partnership with our younger selves.

Cookies and Catwalks is a blog that is meant to inspire just that. Embracing life with everything that we are and have been.

And if you feel you've forgotten just who you were way back then, no worries. Turn around and take a look. You're still standing across the way in your sneakers - your hand reaching out to your older self, waiting to join in on the fun.

If you would like to celebrate the good stuff that happens out there (random acts of kindness or thoughtful advice from a stranger), then please visit www.agreatplace.ca. Read stories from everyday people or share a story of your own. If you're chosen as the feature, you can link new readers to your blog!